IAIN HUME marked his 20th birthday yesterday by reflecting on the benefits of a long learning curve with Tranmere Rovers.

IAIN HUME marked his 20th birthday yesterday by reflecting on the benefits of a long learning curve with Tranmere Rovers.

The Scottish-born Canadian (left) packed more experience into his four years as a teenager at Prenton Park that many players might gain over their entire careers.

By leaving his home and parents on the other side of the Atlantic when turning pro at 16, Hume had to grow up faster than his contemporaries and acquire an independent nature.

He reached many important landmarks at an early stage: a first team debut at 16, full international honours for Canada at 19. He has already worked under four different managers at Tranmere and made 95 first team appearances.

Even in his life outside football Hume is coming to terms with responsibility early. He expects to become a father before the end of the year.

However, it is only in the last 12 months that as a footballer Hume has established himself as a first team regular at Prenton Park and harnessed the abundance of talent and energy in his slight five foot seven frame.

Hume says: "It's been a good experience, the best thing for me. I have learned from everything I have done here and enjoyed it all too. It's helped me to get where I am now and to understand that you can't always achieve what you want right away.

"Now I'm going into my 20s I hope I can carry on learning."

Hume's boy's-own adventure began in 1999 when he said goodbye to parents Eddie and Wilmer to become the youngest player to sign professional terms with Tranmere.

It meant living in digs with families chosen by the club. He says: "It was difficult at first being away from mum and dad and my brother and sisters.

"But it helped me to grow up quickly as a person. If something went wrong I could not go to my mum and say I need some help or go to my dad and ask for some advice. I had to take things upon myself and I think I've done that quite well.

"I spent four seasons in digs, at first with a husband and wife, then with a single mum. They did their best to make me feel like I was part of a family. They were homes away from home and I was very well looked after."

Hume made his senior debut in a first division game against Swindon in April 2000 and became the youngest player to appear in a league fixture for Tranmere. Manager John Aldridge gave him two more appearances before the season ended. "I was just a kid being given a bit of a chance," he recalls.

Hume made 10 league appearances in the following campaign, a difficult one for players young and old as Tranmere were relegated from Division One and Aldridge resigned.

The following season new boss Dave Watson showed enough faith in Hume to play the teenager in 14 Division Two games, although he recalls: "I spent a lot of time on the bench that year."

The breakthrough came under Ray Mathias last season. A year ago this week Hume came off the bench to score his first senior goal against Peterborough at Prenton Park and quickly established himself in the Tranmere starting XI.

Hume says: "Last season was the time when I more or less got to prove I could play consistently at first team level. I can remember that first goal like it was yesterday because it was a long time coming. It was just a tap-in. I have scored eight goals now but that's still the only one I have got from inside the six-yard box.

"Everything else has been from between 12 and 25 yards. It's lovely to score all the spectacular ones of course, but most strikers think it's important that you get your share of tap-ins."

Hume is now trying to show his worth to a fourth boss, Brian Little and once again finds himself being alternated between striking and attacking midfield roles.

Hume says: "I'm obviously happy to play up front and I also like dropping in behind the strikers. As long as I can get forward and involved with attacks, I'm happy.

"I would like to think I have got on well with the last three managers and now I hope to do well for this one.

"He seems to be spot-on with the way he has been working things through with us on the training ground.

"Everyone wants to prove we are as good a side as we were in the second half of last season."

Meanwhile, Hume and his partner Christine are expecting their child on Boxing Day.

Hume says: "It's all been a bit unexpected but we are over the moon about it. I bought my own place in the summer and I'm living there with Christine.

"Luckily my parents are coming over shortly before the baby is due and are staying for a month. It will be great to see them and relieve some of the stress upon them!"

* Central defenders Ian Sharps and Kevin Gray are back in training with Tranmere Rovers after lengthy injury lay-offs.

One of them could even find himself on the bench for tomorrow's home game against Bournemouth although manager Brian Little said it may be too soon for either to be considered for a recall to the starting line-up. Tranmere will be without suspended striker Simon Haworth.